Sensitive detection of chemical agents and toxic industrial chemicals using active open-path FTIRs

William T. Walter

doi:10.1117/12.516229

4 March 2004 Sensitive detection of chemical agents and toxic industrial chemicals using active open-path FTIRs

William T. Walter

Proceedings Volume 5270, Environmental Monitoring and Remediation III; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.516229
Event: Optical Technologies for Industrial, Environmental, and Biological Sensing, 2003, Providence, RI, United States

Abstract

Active open-path FTIR sensors provide more sensitive detection of chemical agents than passive FTIRs, such as the M21 RSCAAL and JSLSCAD, and at the same time identify and quantify toxic industrial chemicals (TIC). Passive FTIRs are bistatic sensors relying on infrared sources of opportunity. Utilization of earth-based sources of opportunity limits the source temperatures available for passive chemical-agent FTIR sensors to 300° K. Active FTIR chemical-agent sensors utilize silicon carbide sources, which can be operated at 1500° K. The higher source temperature provides more than an 80-times increase in the infrared radiant flux emitted per unit area in the 7 to 14 micron spectral fingerprint region. Minimum detection limits are better than 5 μgm/m³ for GA, GB, GD, GF and VX. Active FTIR sensors can (1) assist first responders and emergency response teams in their assessment of and reaction to a terrorist threat, (2) provide information on the identification of the TIC present and their concentrations and (3) contribute to the understanding and prevention of debilitating disorders analogous to the Gulf War Syndrome for military and civilian personnel.

Citation Download Citation

William T. Walter "Sensitive detection of chemical agents and toxic industrial chemicals using active open-path FTIRs", Proc. SPIE 5270, Environmental Monitoring and Remediation III, (4 March 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.516229

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